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How To Rotate Tires Properly

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Uploaded by on Jan 11, 2010

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

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Get on the fast track with these tips to keep your vehicle running smoothly

To complete this How-To you will need:

Tire blocks
A torque wrench
A jack
Jack stands
Muscle power

Warning: Never get under the car supported solely by a jack.

Step 1: Prepare the vehicle

Turn the engine off, put the car in park, and set the parking brake. Place tire blocks behind the front and rear tires on one side of the vehicle.

Tip: For manual transmissions put the car in gear.

Step 2: Loosen lug nuts

Loosen the lug nuts with a torque wrench on the front and rear tires on the side of the car opposite the blocks.

Step 3: Raise the vehicle

Raise the vehicle with a jack and lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

Step 4: Remove tires

Remove the lug nuts and front and rear tires.

Tip: Inspect the tread on the tires. Most manufacturers build wear indicators into their tires, so if the tread is as low as the indicator, replace the tire.

Step 5: Mount the tires

Mount the tire formerly in the rear on the front and vice versa.

Step 6: Secure lug nuts

Hand-tighten the lug nuts first, and then secure them with the torque wrench. Tighten lug nuts working diagonally in a star pattern.

Step 7: Lower the vehicle and repeat steps

Lower the vehicle and repeat the previous steps on the other side of the vehicle.

Thanks for watching How To Rotate Tires Properly! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

  • likes, 3 dislikes

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  • Call OnStar and they will pick you up! Easy isn't!

  • Just one thing to add. Re-torque the lug nuts after having driven 100 km or about 62 miles.

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All Comments (44)

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  • yay now i know!

  • Huh? Loosen the lug nuts with a torque wrench?!?

  • they forgot to add that you have to cross em when switching them to the front wheels unless they're directional .

  • @maxp8ntballer That's true, but the most important reason for tire rotation is taken care of by exchanging front for the back. The crossover exchange is to address uneven wear due to potential misalignment. If you do this method without a hoist, you would take the added step of exchanging the front tires by supporting the front and then exchanging the back tires by supporting the back of the vehicle after doing the one side at a time steps explained in the video. Also consider Maginel73's point.

  • arent you supposed to cross the back ones as you bring them to the front?

  • I always thought you were supposed to cross over the tires that came off the rear of the car? So the rear right would go to the front left and the rear left would go to the front right..

  • This will be helpful to everyone who do not have a clue to rotate the tire. However, you did not criss-cross (left goes to right and left vice versa) when you put the rear wheel to the front as the dealer's manual written instruction.

  • Eh I dont trust mexicans on cars or construction. thumbs down

  • You never EVER break things loose with a torque wrench. A torque wrench is designed to torque in one direction not break things loose.

  • @afghanmanyeah I love you!! :D

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